Life is full of Obstacles. Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.30 helps us under stand obstacles of life. It offers simple solutions so that even a householder can reap holistic benefits of learning yoga and leading a happy fulfilled life.
PATANJALI YOGA SUTRA 1.30 ‘Vyadhi-Styan a-Samsaya-Pramada-Alasya-Avirati-Bhrantidarsana-Alabdhabhumikatva-Anavasthitatvani-Cittaviksepah-Te-Antarayah’
Vyadhi : disease, illness , sickness ; Styana : inefficiency , dullness; Samsaya : indecision , doubt; Pramada : carelessness , negligence; Alasaya : sloth , laziness; Avirati : sensuality , craving; Bhranti darsana : false views or perception; Alabdhabhumikatva : failing to attain stages of practice; Anavasthitatvani : inability to maintain; Cittaviksepah : distractions of the mind; Te : they are; Antarayah: obstacles, impediments
The realisation of the individual Self; removes the barriers of the yogic path.
Dr Jayadeva Yogendra explains “We discuss the usual kind of difficulties that come in our way and especially in our progress in yoga. We know them. They are part of our character. The disease is one. We fall sick, few times in a year. We are lazy; the mind is uncertain, doubtful. Disillusionments, thereby not finding our objective, goal. That kind of uncertainty, we are never a 100% sure about what we do. These are the obstacles which are part of our personality.
Even the best students have these unfortunate inherent weaknesses. Naturally, in learning of yoga, they become hindrances. Suddenly doubt comes, suddenly laziness and all that. So these have been mentioned as our enemies. Unless we can overcome them, we can’t get the holistic benefits of learning yoga and lead a happy fulfilled life.
Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra explains “All these obstacles don’t allow ‘Citta Vritti Nirodha’ – control over the mind is not possible & stoppage of thoughts, impossible. They are called ‘Citta Viksepa.’ ‘Vyadhi’ means – disease. If nutrients are not of a proper ratio (i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha) the mind and body are not balanced, then there is a disease. One has to attend to it.
Here fundamentals of life of Ahar, Vihar, Achar and Vichar are recommended. Mental disease – lack of interest in life. Such disease should be taken care of and replaced with enthusiasm and positive thinking. ‘Samsaya’ means– doubting mind – one has to have full faith in the path. ‘Pramada’ – lack of sincerity. ‘Alasya ‘– laziness, overeating, no proper routines. ‘Avirati’ – sensual pleasures.( I love this, and I love this person.) ‘Bhranti Darsana’ – one doesn’t see the reality – it’s a rope, but we see it as a snake. ‘Alabdhabhumikatwa’ – you don’t have the capacity, but you want to reach there. When there are problems, capacity is less. ‘Anavasthitatvani’ – through hard work person reaches some level, but can’t stay there for long.
All these have to be understood and overcome otherwise we will not be able to steady our mind and lead a happy life to the fullest.”Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.30 helps the ordi nary householder reap holistic benefits of learning yoga and leading a happy fulfilled life.